Addis Ababa — The first joint National Sensitization on Early Childhood Development and Education (ECD&E) kicked off here today to sensitize stakeholders, including high officials, on the concept of nurturing care for early childhood development and the importance of investing on ECD&E.

Opening the two-day work shop, Health State Minister Dr. Liya Tadesse said cooperative efforts are needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030 regarding children in Ethiopia, even if there are some improvements.

She added that creating access and ensuring quality of early childhood development has great impact on the future development of the country.

Women, Children and Youth Affairs State Minister Alemitu Umed said on her part early childhood development needs to get attention since the time is when children develop their cognitive and psycho-social development.

Working on early childhood development would ensure healthy generation in the future, Alemitu said, adding that there is therefore the need to invest more on early childhood.

UNICEF Country Representative Karin Heissler said the workshop is critical to advance every Ethiopian child's right of survival, development and protection.

She added that early childhood development is essential to achieving health, education, gender equality and sanitation; and has a positive impact on poverty reduction.

WHO Representative, Esther Mary Aceng said early childhood development is a foundation for long life productivity and social cohesion. Hence, it is time for all to embrace ECD&E if we don't want to pay high cost.

"Good health, adequate nutrition, safe and secure environment, opportunity for early learning, love and affections make children to have full development potential", Aceng added.

Line ministries and international development partners such as UNICEF, WHO, USAID and WB are participating in the workshop organized by ministries of Health, Education, Women, Children and Youth Affairs at Radison Blue Hotel.

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